Transportation News

Governor Cuomo and DEC announced that the settlement funds will be invested in clean transportation including earmarking 40% for buses - a successful step forward in our Clean Buses for Healthy Niños advocacy campaign. DEC will prioritize these emissions reduction projects in environmental justice communities that have traditionally been overburdened by pollution, which leads to higher rates of asthma and other respiratory illnesses.

This past July, New York City had to suspend its use of speed cameras after lawmakers in Albany were unable to renew the program. Governor Andrew Cuomo, Mayor de Blasio, and the New York City Council worked together and developed a solution to state lawmakers’ lack of support.

The Trump Administration has rolled back federal clean car standards of vehicle fuel efficiency and emissions regulations, previously established under the Obama Administration as part of the Clean Air Act. The new regulations will revoke the previous standard held for car manufacturers which obligated them to create more fuel-efficient vehicles every year.

As part of Vision Zero, DOT is bringing streets into the public realm by building pedestrian plazas. Turning streets from car-filled conduits into attractive places to relax makes city streets more inviting for pedestrians and help drivers become more aware of the need to drive slowly and attentively.

An effective, environmentally-friendly, modern freight system is crucial to keep up with population growth, reduce tailpipe emissions and truck congestion. NYCEDC recently announced its plan to revamp New York City’s freight system with the Freight NYC initiative.

As part of the Reforming Energy Vision initiative, the New York State Department of Public Service, Con Edison, National Express, and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority are participating in a demonstration project to operate five electric school buses throughout the White Plains public school district. The plan is for school buses to operate normally through the year and charge at night, while in the summer months they will be plugged into the grid and used as energy storage assets.

A newly released report published by Bloomberg predicts a very promising future for electric buses. The report found that switching from conventional to electric buses would not only be helpful for air quality, it would also save money in the long term. 

New York City Transit unveiled a Bus Action Plan on Monday, April 23rd. The plan was described as a transformative vision to deliver the improvements that New Yorkers want.